The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-03-10

Yerseu.i's second took the dice in his
turn, and threw the number nine.
At this decision all hearts were thrilled
with deep horror. Verseuil's second
placed loaded pistol in his hand. and
the old Chevalier de Montluc approached
his adversary and sa calmly: "Mon-
sieur de YerSeuil, make use of your
privileges.
YES" cried Verseuil, flincinc his
pistol over the rampant. Yes, Monsieur
dc Montluc. will make use of thcr..
Come, gentlemen, come, you who were
witnesses of the involuntary indignity
which offered to this respectable GER
tleman ut time when | was deaf to the
voice of reason, be also witnesses of the
complete reaaration which Justice.
honor, and ak the sentiments of nv
heart Oblige me- to render him. Mon
sieur de Montluc," he said, addressing
the old man. 1.-THE victory which | owe
to chance gives me the RIGHT 10 confess
to you my fault. [ acknowledge il
humbiy, and implorc you TO pardon
ME.
The old officer could not resist the
appeal. His eyes filed with tears. and
in transport he could not control. he
threw himself in the arms OF Verseuil,
who cried: 80 my fathcr!'
This exclamat on was followed by a
moment of silence, then Verseul added,
in tones earnest and compassionate:
"Yes. YOU will allow me TO call Won by
that dear and sacred name; YOU do not
know. Monsieur de Montluc, what
ties bind me to you; they can
not be broken save with those that
attach me to fe. You have at Chalons
4 daughter-ah, do not blush; it is
with pride that you should hear the
name of Ernestine You should be es-
pecially proud of the title of husband
and father. May it be permitted the
tenderest affection to repair the wrongs
of fortune toward our dear Ernestine?
l loIie her, we love each other. | am
free and have the disposal OF my estate
Crown our mutual lection"
All the officers were deeply moved by
this unexpected scene: they crowded
around the aged De Montluc, who
seemed to be rejecting upon VcrSeuil's
offer. AT last the brave and venerable
soldier. taking Nerseuil's hand, said to
him: "MOnSieur dc FerSeuil, Your con-
duet has been that of generous and
honorable Young man. | can under
stand now what your position must
have been. Love forbade Your taking
my life. and the serenity with which
you came t. the rendezvous proved
that you would have nObly sacrificed
yourself. Ireproaeh myself for all You
must have suffered, but honor COM
manded it thus. However, | can but
recognize such delciacy and greatness
OF soul.
"a few days ago l would not have
given You my daughter. | was poor,
and this pardon. which | now grant
with all my heart, would perhaps have
seem d Interested, but now, thank
Heaven, my position is changed. st
the moment when we haZartcd our
chances for life, you saw me I, ceive a
letter over which l grew pale and
troubled. That letter was from Iny wife
who has just arrived here With NY
daughter Ernestine."
Heavens, Ernestincw
my older brother" continued Mon
sieUr dc MOntUc, ''mv oder brother.
who has ever treated me w tn profound
has Just died childiess, and
am his heir. My daughter. therefore.
is rich. For this reason, Monsieur de
Eerseuil, do not hesitate to give her
TO Won. Otherwise Erncst,ne could
never have been yours. Honor would
rot have permitted it. But let us hast
en- to embrace those 50 dear to US"
Mons eur de Montluc then took YER
seuil's arm. calling him son, and they
went together TO join Madame and
de Montluc.
After the first expressions of paternal
affection De Montluc related to his wife
and daughter the story OF the duel, at
which rectal they shudIcrcd with ter
ror. Ecrse1il depicted in his turn tie
no tation of his soul, and they wept in
Some time after, the rcgi-
mcnt of Eerseuil was called TO Germany.
There the young man covered himself
with glcry. and when the campaign was
over he married Erne Their hap
piness continued as long as their virtues
endured. that is while they lived, and
the sweetest peace blessed and adorned
a union solemnIzed. as itwere, on the bat
lie field. --TrapSia'ed from tie French, in
albany Journal.